Stavertongirl 1,156 Report post Posted November 3 I went to the doctor for a blood test for my thyroid medication 2 about months ago and saw the shingles vaccine flash up on the screen. I do normally like to check for side effects etc before I commit to anything like this, but decided to go ahead with it even though it meant a needle in each arm. When I went for my next blood test I ended up getting my flu jab at the same time. Started to feel a bit like a pin cushion. There were no side effects, although my arm was a bit sore after my flu jab. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 8,071 Report post Posted November 3 I’d like a Shingles jab, my husband has had Shingles twice and since had the vaccination, my son has had it too a few years ago but I don’t know if he’s been offered the jab. I’ve never been invited to have the Flu jab at the GP surgery but have had one the past two years at our local pharmacy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,586 Report post Posted November 3 Shingles is the left over chicken pox virus that lays dormant. I had chicken pox when I was 22yrs old, but no signs of shingles, hopefully I don't have the virus in me, or my immune system is strong enough to keep it in check. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 7,546 Report post Posted November 3 I was told that once you've had chicken pox, the virus remains within the cerebro- spinal fluid for the rest of your life but may never cause any problems. I had chicken pox at 6 months. Caught it from my generous older sister! Shingles erupted at the end of a very stressful period of my life and my immune system was probably at a low ebb. I hope it never recurs! Sometimes there is a rash with no pain and sometimes there is pain with no rash. The pain didn't kick in for a few days but when it did, it was akin to being stabbed repeatedly with a red hot dagger. Absolutely horrendous. I occasionally still experience a strange sensation where the rash appeared. It feels rather like sitting in a holly bush. This is the result of nerve damage. I'm told severe cases can destroy nerve endings and leave the affected areas totally numb! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 99 Report post Posted November 3 3 hours ago, LizzieM said: I’ve never been invited to have the Flu jab at the GP surgery but have had one the past two years at our local pharmacy. I've just had my 4th yearly Jab. All as a result of a letter from my G.P. Surgery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mary1947 1,235 Report post Posted November 3 Chicken pox can be very stressful if it goes the wrong way, one night my friend called 999 her daughter was unwell, a few days before the doctor had said that she had chicken pox, advice keep her warm, plenty to drink and wait for all the spot's to come, instead of the spots coming out on her skin the erupted and went inside her body, it was touch and go for Larna her little girl, has due to the virus her body was shutting down, after 2 weeks in hospital she was fine, but what a scare her mum had. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stavertongirl 1,156 Report post Posted November 13 I had noticed over the past couple of weeks I was getting a bit wheezy but as my sinuses were playing up and dumping gunk down my throat (sorry to be explicit) I presumed that was the cause of it as well as my slight cough. However last nite I woke up struggling to breath, bit frightening when you are on your own, and then had a fit of coughing. I ended up going down stairs and spent the rest of the night on my recliner which seemed to help. Managed to get an appointment with my doctor this morning and took a very slow walk there, felt as if I wasn’t getting enough air somehow and had to sit down on a bench halfway there to get my breath back. It was no surprise to be told I had a chest infection and I have got a weeks supply of tablets that would cure an elephant. Also the “you have stopped smoking” talk. (As a matter of interest I can’t remember having many chest infections when I smoked, but perhaps rose tinted glasses are in play!) Even slower walk back (but it is uphill), my road seemed to stretch for miles before I got home. Now curled up on settee with a blanket, feeling sorry for myself, eyeing the box of walnut whips I treated myself to. A girl has to have some pleasures! 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 7,546 Report post Posted November 13 Hope you're feeling better soon, SG. Chest infections are no fun. I had what turned into pleurisy a few years ago. It was December, couldn't get a GP appointment so just ploughed through it and continued to go to work. A colleague also picked up similar chest infection which turned to pneumonia. She had 6 weeks off. I covered her job as well as mine. Felt lousy. When I lay in bed at night, I could feel fluid moving in the area of my heart, worried me a bit but I ploughed on. Had the cough for a year before it finally went. Changed my GP too. Take care and get plenty of rest. As my mum used to say...Do as I say, not as I do! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 3,097 Report post Posted November 13 Take it easy SG and get better soon.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 5,936 Report post Posted November 13 SG Hope the meds will soon clear your chest infection x. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 8,071 Report post Posted November 13 Speedy recovery SG! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carni 9,260 Report post Posted November 13 A couple of days on your Antibiotics should start to make you more comfortable SG. All the best for a speedy recovery Miduck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stavertongirl 1,156 Report post Posted November 13 Thanks for all the good wishes, hope the tablets work quickly as we are supposed to be exploring Bramcote Park with my boys over the weekend. Certainly could not do a walk at the moment. I had a little nap this evening, woke up and realised I hadn’t had my tablet and Wolf hadn’t had his either. Went into kitchen got tablets out, got my water and then realised I was just about to take Wolf's tablet. Good job it is bright pink and round, mine are dark green capsules. Much to his disgust I swapped them over and he had crunchy wafer thin ham again. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 7,546 Report post Posted November 13 Careful, SG. You've already got a chest infection. You don't want to be barking as well! Loppylugs doesn't need the competition. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 7,655 Report post Posted November 13 Give 'em a good hug SG. The boys will love it and you'll feel better as well. Hope you are soon 100% again. I've already got competition, Jill. Anyway my Bach is worse than my bite. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 4,702 Report post Posted November 14 Hope you feel better soon SG!! Loppy, that's a great 'in joke'. Just an update. I've had assorted appointments at Gastroenterology coming out of my ears. including two for the same place, same consultant, same day, 40 minutes apart.. It all seems to be down to the fact that one Doc referred me to GE, and then another Doc referred me to GE but 'urgently'.. So I've got 'follow up' appointments booked to happen before there's anything to follow up.. etc. So, today I cancelled them all except next week's, which is for a 'virtual' colonoscopy... That seems to be an MRI scan of the inside bits. which is rather better than the indignity of a camera intruding 'where the Sun don't shine'.. as they say... However.. a thoughtful delivery of several medications through the post today.. reminded me that while the imaging process is a little more dignified.. the necessary preparations aren't... Still... keeps me off the streets.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 5,936 Report post Posted November 14 Was it 2 GPs who referred you to GE? If your notes are electronically stored, how can this happen? We've signed up for something called 'systmonline' which allows any GP or hospital to access our notes. It's also good for ordering repeat prescriptions and making appointments... when doing the latter we get a list of available doctors and times and just tick the one we want. We still have to wait a few days/weeks though if it's not an urgent appointment! We can also view our test results online... I think it's really good. Hope your virtual colonoscopy will provide some useful information. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 7,546 Report post Posted November 14 I use Systmonline. A real time saver. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,201 Report post Posted November 14 Me too. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 3,097 Report post Posted November 14 Never heard of it, I'll look into it later today... Edit: Seems to be for smartphones only... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 7,546 Report post Posted November 14 I don't have a smartphone. It can be accessed via any device. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 3,460 Report post Posted November 14 ......and you do all your calculations on an abacus. Time has passed you by! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 3,097 Report post Posted November 14 13 minutes ago, Jill Sparrow said: I don't have a smartphone. It can be accessed via any device. The web site only has Android and Apple apps...? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 7,546 Report post Posted November 14 12 minutes ago, philmayfield said: and you do all your calculations on an abacus. Time has passed you by! That has always been my aim. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 3,460 Report post Posted November 14 I can see where you're coming from but in my case I want facts and answers 'on tap' and having the equivalent of the Encyclopaedia Brittanica in my pocket is a wonderful thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites